Guest guest Posted June 28, 2003 Report Share Posted June 28, 2003 Namaste dear Ramji, >I just want to leave it to the members of Advaitin list >to make their own judgement and conclusion on why the list >should focus only on Sankara's advaita philosophy. Just like >the restaurants, mailing lists only can cater to the needs of >a section of population. Honestly, from day 1 the theme of the >list is Shankara's Advaita Philosophy and the duty of the moderators >is to protect this theme. I totally agree with you, I totally sympathize with you, and I am totally happy with your policy. Please don't think I ever felt otherwise. (Well, maybe I was a bit disappointed for a few days but got over it. Did you think I was a saint? I never said so!) I dwelt for a while on wide-ranging topics and similar areas to Advaita in order to inspire others to take a look beyond Advaita from time to time (and also to get some discussion). That's all. It's so easy to explore with the Internet. And if it is done right, it will not be too superficial. If one uses good sense when roaming the web, then one can get an idea what is bogus and what is valuable. Of course, list members know this, but inertia (tamas) can kill curiosity and opne-mindedness, so that we stay with what is familiar and comfortable. Furthermore, I repeat: There IS a lot of similarity between Advaita and other paths, and this is a very good thing. The truth is One! We are NOT real Advaitins if we do not see the profound similarities in related spiritual paths. Enough said. Now as to the suggestion: You might set up a second list with a theme such as 'Best of Advaitin List', in which the moderators post their favorite messages from this list. The messages could then be collected under consistent threads (which doesn't always happen here). I believe still gives free e-groups, provided a memory limit is respected. Since this new list would contain the best messages from this list, then it would be much easier to keep the size down. Alternatively, the best and most relevant messages from this list could be periodically collected into PDFs or text files for downloading from the Advaitin site. That way, this list could be a bit freer, as it has been in the past. It would serve as a kind of buffer for the higher quality second list, and at the same time novices and wild poets such as myself could have a lot of fun with speculations and inspirations. Of course, list members must not get jealous if their messages don't make it! A good test of ego. One of the reasons I kept posting so many messages with so many ideas for so long is because I just couldn't resist. It was so much fun and made me feel so inspired, even if everyone didn't agree. I looked for another list where I could do this, one that combined Advaita Buddhism and philosophy, and where the tone was serious enough but not too serious or academic. I found no such list, and I don't feel I have the time to maintain one myself. I may change my mind. One day I may discuss with you just how much trouble it is to start and maintain a mailing list. Maybe it isn't much trouble at all. But would anyone come to the new list? Here we have an audience! Om! Benjamin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2003 Report Share Posted June 29, 2003 Namaste Sri Benjamin: I am delighted to read your comments and suggestions for the future actions. Your reply makes you almost like a 'saint.' As advaitins we do want to see Truth as one and we have been discussing the similarities in related path with respect to Advaita. We will continue to discuss such similarities and use them understand and appreciate the Advaitic position regarding Truth. All your suggestions regarding a second list like the NSHighlights is a good idea. Someone like you with lots of enthusiasm and good writing ability with vocabulary is the ideal candidate to implement it. I will be more than happy to help you to implement the second list with the said goals. Such a noble service will make you so popular and has high potentials for converting you into sainthood. Also after sometime, you could start your own list with JK's famous statement, "Truth is a pathless land!" Please let me know when you are ready, Warmest regards, Ram Chandran advaitin, Benjamin Root <orion777ben> wrote: > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2003 Report Share Posted June 29, 2003 Namaste Sri Ram! >I am delighted to read your comments and suggestions for the >future actions. Your reply makes you almost like a 'saint'. It is good to say nice things like this from time to time to people. Even if not quite true, it boosts morale and makes them feel like trying harder to be a saint. >All your suggestions regarding a second list like the NSHighlights >is a good idea. Someone like you with lots of enthusiasm and good >writing ability with vocabulary is the ideal candidate to implement >it. I will be more than happy to help you to implement the second >list with the said goals. This proves the truth of the adage: 'No good deed goes unpunished!' :-) I made a helpful suggestion and got a new job! Well, I would be glad to do it if it does not interfere too much with my real work. I'll have to discuss it with you in person. Actually, I was feeling a bit relieved when you decided to focus the list back on Shankara's roadmap. Participating in this list was becoming an addiction for me, and any kind of addiction is harmful. But if taking care of the new list is not too time consuming, then I am open to the idea. But I am a bit perplexed about something. The point of the second list is that the moderators of this list would choose the best of this list for the second list. Surely you wouldn't want me making those decisions! So how exactly would it work? We will discuss it. Finally, I do feel that participating in lists like this is beneficial to everyone for a variety of reasons. It develops our writing skills, our creativity, and sharpens our thoughts. The downside is distraction from work and also from reading. I have been reading spiritual and philosophical literature at a much slower rate since joining this list. On the other hand, that is because I write too much, which I do because I love it so much, etc. etc. I am beginning to see why the Gita emphasizes self-control. Om! Benjamin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2003 Report Share Posted June 29, 2003 Namaste Ramji, To Benjaminji: " Such a noble service will make you so popular and has high potentials for converting you into sainthood. " Without expectation, pure, skilful, impartial, unafflicted, one who has abandoned all striving, devoted to me - such a one is dear to me. Gita.12.16 I consider the sense of doership as the major hindrance to spiritual growth.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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